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LGBT rights parade at Cardiff Mardi Gras

A parade highlighting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights is accompanying Cardiff's Mardi Gras event for the first time Photo: David Wood / ITV News Wales

Wales’ biggest celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is holding its first parade, highlighting LGBT rights, through the centre of Cardiff.

Each year Cardiff Mardi Gras attracts thousands of people from all over the UK, but there has never been a march through the city centre.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the festival, but Mardi Gras chairman Richard Newton says although there have been improvements for LGBT people in Wales more needs to be done.

Whilst legislation has moved on and members of the LGBT community arerecognised and protected in many aspects of law; the reality is that this doesn’talways happen within our communities, in workplaces, and worse still inpeople’s homes.

– Richard Newton, Mardi Gras chairman

The all-day event is expected to draw thousands of people, with music and speeches from community and political leaders promised.

The celebrations begin at Cooper's Field and continue into the night in the Welsh capital's various bars and clubs.

Heather Small performed on the main stage at Cooper's Field on Saturday night Credit: Jon Pountney

Former X Factor finalist Marcus Collins was also on the line-up Credit: Jon Pountney

Crowds celebrated late into the evening at Cardiff's Mardi Gras Credit: Jon Pountney